Trump Criticizes China for Failing to Influence North Korea

On Thursday, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, criticized China's diplomatic approach in influencing North Korea to halt its missile and nuclear programs. Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, also stated that China should take further actions to limit oil supplies to North Korea. One day after a conversation with the Chinese President, Trump tweeted: 'The Chinese envoy who just returned from North Korea seems to have had no impact on Rocket Man.' Trump referred to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as 'Rocket Man' and 'sick puppy.' In his tweet, Trump emphasized how hard it is to believe that the army and people of North Korea endure such terrible conditions. Russia and China also condemned the missile launch. On the same day, Tillerson welcomed China's activities regarding North Korea but insisted that Beijing could do more to pressure Pyongyang. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Tillerson stated, 'The Chinese have done a lot. We think they can do more. We have asked them to impose limits on oil exports, not to cut it off completely.' In this context, Nikki Haley, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, mentioned that Trump asked the Chinese President to cut off oil supplies to North Korea. China is considered North Korea's most important ally, having extensive trade relations and a shared border. According to Reuters, the intercontinental missile tested by North Korea on Wednesday reached an altitude of about 4,475 kilometers and traveled a distance of 960 kilometers in 53 minutes. The North Korean government also announced that it tested a missile capable of reaching the entire territory of the United States and capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Haley also called on all countries to cut diplomatic and trade relations with Pyongyang. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov opposed this U.S. request, calling it 'negative.' He reiterated recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Moscow has repeatedly said that increasing pressure through sanctions has lost its effectiveness. The Kremlin also described North Korea's new missile test as a provocative reaction and urged all parties to maintain calm. Vasily Nebenzia, Russia's ambassador to the UN, called on North Korea to stop its missile and nuclear tests during an emergency Security Council meeting. He also urged the U.S. and South Korea to refrain from conducting joint military exercises in December due to the regional situation.